Despondency is a heavy feeling of hopelessness and discouragement that settles over someone like a dark cloud. When you're despondent, you've lost hope that things will get better, and you feel too discouraged to even try anymore.

Imagine a student who has failed three math tests in a row despite studying hard. At first, they might feel frustrated or disappointed. But if they sink into despondency, they start thinking, “What's the point? I'll never understand this.” That's the key difference: despondency goes beyond sadness about what happened to losing faith that anything will improve.

Your heart isn't in it anymore because you can't see a way forward. A despondent person might stop trying, stop caring, or withdraw from activities they used to enjoy.

Despondency often follows repeated disappointments or a major setback. A team that loses game after game might fall into despondency. A writer whose stories keep getting rejected might become despondent about their abilities.

The feeling can be temporary or prolonged. Sometimes rest, encouragement from others, or a small success can lift someone out of despondency. But when despondency lasts a long time, it may be a sign someone needs help from a counselor or trusted adult who can help them rediscover hope.